Nutrient Digestion of Common Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) Pers Growing in Northeastern Mexico

Abstract

Ramírez, R.G., González-Rodríguez, H. and García-Dessommes, G. 2002. Nutrient digestion of common bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) Pers growing in northeastern Mexico. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 23: 93–102. The rate and extent of nutrient digestion of total plant, leaves and steins of common bermudagrass were estimated using the nylon bag technique in rumen fistulated Pelibuey × Rambouillet sheep fed alfalfa hay. The crude protein (CP) content of common bermudagrass during spring was higher and lower during winter. Leaves resulted with higher (P<0.05) CP than stems. The neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and its derivatives (hemicellulose, cellulose, lignin and insoluble ash) were lower (P<0.05) in spring and higher in winter. There was no difference (P>0.05) in NDF between leaves and stems; however, lignin was lower (P>0.05) in leaves than that in stems. Dry matter, crude protein and cell wall of common bermudagrass were better digested during spring by rumen microbes in sheep and to a lower extent in winter. Leaves resulted in higher nutrient degradabilities than steins. In general, during spring mineral contents were higher and lower in winter. During spring when precipitation was high (417 mm out of 613 mm), nutrient content of common bermudagrass was higher than that in other seasons.